Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Bethlehem residents should do now under the new drought watch
And on the Bethlehem Patch calendar - Open House | Riegelsville Home on 2 Acres | Investment Potential
Hey there, Bethlehem! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What Bethlehem residents should do now under the new drought watch
- How could this historic bank overhaul change downtown Bethlehem living?
- When Lunar New Year dance magic arrives at Lehigh University
Also on today's calendar: Open House | Riegelsville Home on 2 Acres | Investment Potential and 3 more events.
Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and windy, with a high of 32 and low of 22 degrees.
- Friday: Becoming cloudy, temps: high: 34, low: 21.
- Saturday: Low clouds, with a high of 40 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Pa. issues drought watch for Lehigh Valley, 6 other counties (lehighvalleynews.com) — Bethlehem and the rest of the Lehigh Valley are now under a state-declared drought watch, with Lehigh and Northampton counties joining 35 others across Pennsylvania. Residents are being urged to voluntarily cut nonessential water use by 5–10% as precipitation deficits near 7 inches and much of the area registers moderate to severe drought conditions. 
2. Old Bethlehem bank site eyed for ‘experience center,' restaurant and 61 apartments (lehighvalleynews.com) — A major redevelopment of the former Wells Fargo bank at West Broad and Guetter streets could soon reshape downtown Bethlehem, adding an “experience center,” restaurant space, and 61 new apartments while preserving the historic facade. City planners will review the Monocacy Builders proposal Thursday at Bethlehem Town Hall, where residents can see how the project fits alongside the nearby Boyd Theatre redevelopment.
3. New Jersey Dance Company Celebrates Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse with Local Performances (magic983.com) — Bethlehem residents can catch the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company’s Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse tour at Lehigh University on February 25, 2026, featuring world-premiere works and traditional pieces. The program blends Chinese and contemporary dance, acrobatics, live music, and cultural crafts for an immersive celebration of Lunar New Year traditions.
4. Judge to rule on whether Trump's 2020 pardon applies to Bethlehem man (lehighvalleylive.com) — A Bethlehem man’s federal double-voting case could hinge on whether a broad 2020 pardon from Donald Trump covers his alleged conduct. A judge in Allentown is weighing arguments from both sides over how far the pardon extends and whether courts or the federal pardon office should decide who qualifies, with a ruling expected later.
5. Lehigh County prosecutors try to bypass standard court proceedings in secretive drug ring case (lehighvalleylive.com) — Lehigh County prosecutors are seeking to skip standard preliminary hearings in a large, secretive drug-ring case that includes Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, an elected official from Bethlehem. Defense attorneys argue the unusual secrecy limits defendants’ rights and keeps even basic allegations from public view, while media outlets are fighting in court to unseal key records.
📸 Around Bethlehem
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Open House | Riegelsville Home on 2 Acres | Investment Potential
3288 Slifer Valley Rd, Riegelsville
11:00 am - Bethlehem Municipal Band Christmas Concert
Northeast Middle School, 1170 Fernwood St, Bethlehem
7:00 pm
Monday December 15
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- NEMS Boys Basketball vs Whitehall @ Home
Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - Orchestra/Jazz Band Winter Concert
East Hills Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18017
7:00 pm - NEMS Girls Basketball vs Springhouse @ Home
Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - Blue Christmas Worship
Epworth United Methodist Church , 3245 Oakland Rd , Bethlehem
9:00 am
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Sunday December 21
📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- NEMS Girls Basketball vs Trexler @ Home
Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - NEMS Boys Basketball @ Trexler
Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - Picture Day - Orchestra & SS Singers
Broughal Middle School , 114 W Morton St , Bethlehem
5:00 pm - Winter Concert
Broughal Middle School - Auditorium , 114 W Morton St , Bethlehem
7:00 pm - Shopping at the Mill and Santa Photos
Tavern Room at Heller-Wagner Grist Mill , 170 W Walnut St , Hellertown
12:00 pm - NEMS Girls Basketball @ Whitehall
Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - NEMS Boys Basketball vs Whitehall @ Home
Northeast Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - Orchestra/Jazz Band Winter Concert
East Hills Middle School Bethlehem, PA 18017
7:00 pm
Thursday December 11
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Happy Holidays Everybody 🎄 Our Musical Arts Chorus is performing a Christmas concert this Sunday at 3:00 at St.
Andrew’s Church in Easton. Hope you can make it!! (Nextdoor East Washington) - Seasonal affective disorder is more than just the winter blues.
If you are feeling depressed, reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional for help. If you need immediate assistance, help is available!… (Nextdoor )
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager Up to $20/per hour to start in Bethlehem. Apply here.
- Guess?, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal - Stock Associate in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.
Ok Bethlehem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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